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Welcome to Lake County, Ohio

Established on March 6, 1840, Lake County encompasses only 228.2 square miles of land, geographically the smallest county in Ohio, but ranks 11th in population with 229,582 residents according to 2012 Census estimates.Our northern border consists of approximately 30 miles of Lake Erie shoreline, much of it accessible by the extensive park system, most significantly the largest natural sand beach in the state, which extends for a mile at the centrally located Mentor Headlands Beach State Park.This coastal asset puts Lake County in an enviable position for wind energy and water-related activities, and its strategic access to both SR2 and I-90, as well as proximity to Hopkins International Airport in Cleveland, has drawn many entrepreneurs from the medical, electrical, adhesive products and other commercial and industrial fields to the area.
An available trained and competent workforce that is second to none in the region has been critical to that success, and Lakeland Community College, Lake Erie College, and Auburn Career Center offer opportunities for higher education and enrichment and a range of vocational programs that support and replenish that worker supply.
Recreational activities abound, including the beautiful Classic Park where fans can cheer the Cleveland Indians Class A Affiliate team, the Lake County Captains in an intimate setting, perfect for the family.
In addition, Lake County is host to three State Nature Preserves, the Arthur C. Holden Arboretum, and a park district, Lake Metroparks, comprised of 36 parks and 8,196 acres.
Lake County’s reputation in agricultural circles is legendary. Blessed with some of the most fertile soil anywhere, the region earned the distinction as the Nursery Capital of the World, and our award-winning wine industry has ripened as an emerging tourism destination. Our commercial, agricultural and industrial bases open many opportunities for a better quality of life and for economic growth. Lake County boasts rich cultural heritage and traditions, bountiful natural resources, including two major rivers flowing through the County which provide us with harbors and marinas for shipping and superb recreational opportunities, strong labor and economic capital, committed leadership, and a diverse community of residents who embrace the region as their home with pride as have generations before them.

The Lake County Board of Commissioners honored the 4-H Club members and Nancy Kochevar, one of the founders of the shooting club, with a certificate of recognition for their success at Nationals and for their continued growth and innovation. The recognition took place during the July 6, 2017 Commissioners Meeting.

Nancy Kochevar, Chris Kochevar and Randy Brewster started a
shooting sports club, Young Guns in our county in 2013. This was a vision
the 3 had and they executed it.

In these 4 short years the club grew from 7 members to
almost 60 members (which they had to cap as a result of a long waiting
list). Their first year the club was able to send youth to nationals, not
1 youth, but 4 youth were eligible in 2015. They have had returning
members in 2016 and this year they sent 8 youth to nationals. One youth from
the club placed and took stage at nationals. This same youth is now taking what
he learned from this club and is starting a shooting sport club up by him at
college. His goal is to help teach youth and college mates the importance
of firearm safety, what he learned from being in the Young Guns.

They have increased the amount of advisors in their club
from them (the founding 3) to 11, and have had these advisors trained in their
perspective disciplines. As a result of that they now are able to offer
archery, pistol, rifle, air pistol, steel rifle, steel pistol, shotgun, and
muzzle loading. Youth members are taking multiple disciplines to expand their
knowledge of firearms, because of this. The Young Guns, club under these 3
advisors supervision, completed service projects where they helped build
a range at one of our metro parks, they also helped boots and saddle (where
they meet and practice) expand and build a range. The club has successfully
held fund-raisers every year, car washes, and a turkey shoot (which is
their biggest fund-raiser). They have also obtained many sponsors and
grants. With these funds obtained they have been able to purchase or have
donated for the club, bows, rifles, pistols, ammunition, travel expenses for
the Ohio team to travel to nationals, range time, a facility as well as a
shooting trailer.

The impact of this innovative activity is that Lake County
now has a very active and successful shooting sports club. Young Guns is
our fastest growing club in Lake County. They have been able in these 3
years to obtain resources and materials so Lake County youth can have the
opportunity to be learning about shooting sports in a safe and successful
manner.

The club has and continues to look at how they can expand
with their ongoing fundraising and recruitment of donors, which assists the
club in accommodating the rapid growth. This vision and planning has
assisted the club in being so successful.

They have been a great addition to our 4-H program and have
brought a heighten awareness to shooting sports and the Lake County's 4-H
program. Nancy, Chris and Randy have been huge innovators for the shooting
sports program in Lake County and nationally. They have done a great deal in
just 4 short years with plans to continue to grow in the future!

The Lake County Board of Commissioners proclaimed May 2017 as Foster Parent Recognition Month during the May 4, 2017 Commissioners Meeting. A resolution was presented to Mr. Gene Tetrick, Supervisor of the Substitute Care Unit in Children Services, Ms. Lori O'Brien, Administrator of the Children Services Division and Mr. Matt Battiato, Director of the Lake County Job and Family Services Department. Foster families are a fundamental part of providing constant nurturing and support to children and families who need time to heal and put their lives back together. Citizens are encouraged to demonstrate their respect and gratitude for foster parents who unselfishly share their lives. For more information on how to become a Foster Parent please click here. To view the resolution please click here.

Out of over 900 students from 24 schools in Lake County, the Board of Commissioners presented the awards for this year's Clean & Green Poster Contest Winners during the April 25, 2017 Commissioners Meeting.
From the left: Commissioner Jerry Cirino, Middle School Winner Autumn Farrar from Willoughby Middle School, Commissioner Daniel Troy, Elementary and Overall Winner Kaitlyn Valentic from All Saints, High School Winner Lindsey Rich of Lake Catholic and Commissioner John Hamercheck. Congratulations to all the winners of the 2017 Clean and Green Lake County Poster Contest!

During the April 20, 2017 Commissioners Meeting the Board declared April 15 through May 31, 2017 Clean and Green Lake County. The Board encourages residents, businesses and civic organizations to identify areas in their neighborhoods in need of attention and to undertake clean-up activities. The Lake County Solid Waste District has scheduled a Computer Collection on Saturday, April 29 and a Scrap Tire Collection on Saturday, May 6, 2017 to assist residents with their clean-up efforts. Those from the Utilities Department accepting the award are Matt Armand, Director of Administration, David Schick, Public Services Coordinator and Randy Rothlisberger Sanitary Engineer.Click here to read the resolution.

The Lake County Board of Commissioners present a certificate to honor Ms. Chris Young as the 2016 Child Advocate of the Year by the Lake County Department of Job and Family Services. The event took place on April 12, 2017 in Veteran's Park in Downtown Painesville as part of a month-long campaign to support the prevention of child abuse, raise awareness to the signs of abuse, and to report anything suspicious.

Please
take this opportunity to share your thoughts on the Lake County, Ohio Survey for Consolidated Plan FY 2017-2021 by completing this survey. Your responses will be combined to help identify
local needs and suggest projects and actions to be prioritized. This
survey can be taken by a variety of people that know Lake County by working or
living here. The information you provide will be summarized to help
develop the FY17-21 Lake County Consolidated Plan, a required strategy to
plan for the use of approximately $1.6 million dollars from the United States
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that is awarded to the Board
of Lake County Commissioners on an annual basis. The general
needs measured in this survey cross several categories that relate to the
HUD funding sources of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Home
Investment Partnership Program (HOME): HOUSING, PUBLIC SERVICE,
INFRASTRUCTURE, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, COMMUNITY FACILITIES, SPECIAL
NEEDS, and HOMELESSNESS.
To take the survey please click here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LakeOHConPlan17_21

During the March 30, 2017 Commissioners Meeting a resolution was presented to Ms. Cristen Kane, RSVP Director, in recognition of the RSVP volunteers who have served more than 95 agencies across the county and provided over 62,000 hours of service. Click here to view the resolution.

Child Abuse Prevention Month Proclaimed for April 2017 in Lake County, OhioLake County Children Services Division responded to 2,558 calls regarding children and their families in 2016. as a result, on any given day, Children Services worked with over 1,000 children and provided a safe environment for more than 100 children who were unable to in their family home. A resolution was presented to Lori O'Brien, Children Services Administrator, and Alison Tomaselli, Assistant Administrator in Children Services. Please click here to view the entire resolution.

A number of dedicated telecommunicators serve the citizens of Lake County on a daily basis by answering their telephone calls for police, fire and emergency medical services. Public Safety Telecommunicators are the single vital link for our police offices and firefighters by monitoring their activities, providing information and insuring their safety. A resolution was presented to Captain Mike Warner, Administrator Central Communications in the Lake County Sheriff's Office. To view the resolution please click here.